Police seize suspected drugs and handgun after executing search warrants

February 26, 2025

Seven people — five from the Greater Toronto Area — after police executed search warrants that resulted in the seizure of suspected drugs and a handgun.

Thunder Bay Police Service Intelligence Unit officers executed warrants at a residence on Windsor Street and at a residence on Picton Avenue on the evening of Tuesday, February 26. The warrants had been obtained as a result of an investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity.

 

Searches of both residences resulted in the seizures of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with cash and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking. A handgun was seized from one of the locations.

 

A total of seven individuals were arrested and taken into custody.

 

Jante Richard EXCELL, 24, of North York; Vernon Joseph MOONIAS, 53, of Thunder Bay; Richard SMART-CURTIS, 28, of North York; Keyshon THOMAS-MORRIS, 22, of North York, are charged with the following:

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)

•             Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5,000

•             Careless Storage of a Firearm

•             Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

•             Knowledge of Possession of Unauthorized Firearm

 

THOMAS-MORRIS is also charged with Breach of Release Order and Breach of Undertaking.

 

Moses MERCHANT, 19, of North York; Jahdai TAPPER, 19, of Toronto; and Vanessa Celeste UCHACZ, 44, of Thunder Bay, are charged with the following:

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)

•             Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5,000

 

UCHACZ is also charged with Breach of Release Order.

 

The accused appeared in court on Wednesday and all have been remanded into custody with future appearance dates.

Man arrested for impaired driving, resisting officer after attempting to flee

August 22, 2025
TB25033519

FRAUD FRIDAY: Home repair and renovation scams

August 22, 2025
The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing to advise the public of scams that target local residents. Police regularly receive reports of residents who have been victimized by fraudulent home repair or renovation scams. The schemes may be carried out in the form of a person going door-to-door — claiming they’ve noticed an issue that needs to be urgently addressed — or through online and social media advertisements offering repairs or renovations. The scammers will offer to complete a particular project for an agreed cost but ask for money in advance before doing any work or providing equipment and materials. Once they have received payment, little or no work is done and promised products are not provided. They may request more money, claiming it’s necessary to be able to carry out the work. If the work is ever completed, it is often poor quality and could pose a safety hazard or need to be redone. The Thunder Bay Police Service’s Economic Crime Unit urges residents to speak to family members and friends who may be vulnerable to being targeted by these types of scams. If there is doubt about whether a repair or product is necessary, seek a second opinion from a trusted person or a certified professional. If you are concerned about potential scams and want to learn more, please visit https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/safety/fraud-prevention or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre ( http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ ) To make a fraud/cyber crime online report to the Thunder Bay Police Service, please visit: https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/thunder-bay-police-service/online-reports/report/fraud-cybercrime

Low-Speed Vehicles not permitted on Thunder Bay roads

August 22, 2025
The Thunder Bay Police Service is reminding members of the public that low-speed vehicles are not allowed on public roads in the city. A low-speed vehicle is an electric, four-wheel vehicle that is smaller and lighter than a regular car and have a maximum speed of 40 kilometres per hour . These vehicles may have many similar features to a conventional motor vehicle (seat belts, a steering wheel, pedals and speedometer), but they have fewer safety features and do not meet the same safety standards. These may be marketed as mobility devices, but they are legislated as vehicles that are subject to Highway Traffic Act rules of the road. Electric enclosed mobility scooters that have a lower maximum speed are considered pedestrians under the Highway Traffic Act and are not to be operated on roadways as a vehicle, instead they are to use sidewalks, multi-use trails, or travel on the road shoulder against oncoming traffic. In Ontario, low-speed vehicles are legislated through a 10-year pilot program that began in 2017 and requires municipalities to have implemented bylaws allowing their use on public roadways or sidewalks. As The City of Thunder Bay does not currently have such bylaws, these vehicles are not legal for use within Thunder Bay.  Violations can result in Highway Traffic Act charges, fines, and driving suspensions or prohibitions.